Philippians For Times Like These #3 – Thank God For Christian Family

A Loving Christian Family If you have nothing else but a loving and dependable Christian family, you have a priceless treasure. Paul celebrated his family at Philippi in a beautiful statement of his love for them. They were family and co-laborers with God.

The Unity Of Christian Family “The church is everywhere represented as one. It is one body, one family, one fold, one kingdom. It is one because it is pervaded by one Spirit. We are all baptized into on Spirit so as to become, says the apostle, one body.” – Charles Hodge

Blessed By A Christian Family Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God in all remembrance of you.” How wonderful that Paul thanks God for fond memories he has of the Philippian church. A loving and supportive church has that affect on us.

Prayed With Joy For Them Philippians 1:4 – “…always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all….”

They Had A Place In His Heart Philippians 1:7-8 – “For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart…. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Understanding Christian family We are the children of God John 1:12 -- But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

1 Timothy 3:15 “…I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” We are the very household of God!

His children and heirs Romans 8:16-17 --The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Confidence in god our father Philippians 1:6 --For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Upon what did Paul base this confidence?

He Had confidence in their character Philippians 2:12 – “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling….”

Because Of God’s Great Power Philippians 2:13 – “…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Ephesians 1:18-20 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places….”

2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

We Are Partakers of grace Philippians 1:7 – “…since in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.” God’s grace permeates the church and extends to all His children.

Fellow Workers With God 1 Corinthians 3:9 – “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building….”

Receiving Grace Upon Grace John 1:16 – “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” Laboring in God’s grace.

Are We a Grace-filled Church? Do we labor by the strength which God supplies? Do we support one another in our victories and in our struggles? When people leave here, do they miss us and wish they could be back here with us? Do we rejoice with one another?